Film industry doesn’t give character actors their due

Actor-producer-director-lyricist AATISH KAPADIA, the man who brought Gujarati homes into our lives, tells SAURABH TANKHA as to why Take 2 of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai failed to replicate the success of the first edition, how challenging is it to pen characters which audiences relate with, future plans of his life and more…

Few would imagine that the creator of some of Indian television’s most loved comedies spent part of his childhood dealing with financial uncertainty, family tensions and emotional isolation.

Writer, director and producer Aatish Kapadia recalls a time when, as a six-year-old, he struggled to understand why the comfortable life he knew suddenly disappeared. The chauffeur-driven car, trips to the Taj for haircuts, visits to the derby in a vintage Ford, his personal aquarium and even the radiogram in his room vanished almost overnight after his father’s textile business collapsed.

The experience left a deep impact on him. Kapadia became withdrawn and often sought solitude on a champa tree near his home. Despite being a bright student, some teachers labelled him “dark and dumb” during his school years.

Yet, those experiences never dented his confidence. Over the years, Kapadia built one of the most successful careers in Indian television, creating iconic shows such as Khichdi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and Badi Door Se Aaye Hain. He also wrote screenplays for films including Aankhen, Mann, Josh, Action Replayy and Khichdi: The Movie.

How Aatish Kapadia Entered the Entertainment Industry

Kapadia says his journey began when he joined Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.

“I had heard it had a lot of theatre activity and participated in most inter-college competitions, so I was fixated on joining it,” he says.

Coming from a business family, his decision surprised his parents. However, for Kapadia, theatre was the primary reason for choosing the college. It was there that he began acting and writing plays.

Childhood Fascination with Theatre

His love for theatre started much earlier.

Kapadia recalls a Gujarati playwright who lived in his neighbourhood and often gave complimentary passes to his family in return for using their telephone. Watching plays became a ritual. He was fascinated by every detail, especially the tradition of placing a gajra on a wooden plank before the curtains rose.

He also found ways to watch college productions. A nearby college would stage annual plays, and Kapadia would persuade security guards to let him sit on the floor and watch. During visits to his uncle’s home at Churchgate, he would quietly enter Jai Hind Auditorium to catch theatre performances.

The Turning Point: Writing at 19

Kapadia credits his present-day business partner, JD Majethia, for steering him towards writing.

“JD was a year senior to me in college and his plays were a huge attraction,” he recalls.

One day, after disagreeing with a script written by Majethia, Kapadia suggested a few changes. Majethia liked the revisions, and that moment marked the beginning of Kapadia’s writing career.

“The first script I wrote was at age 19. It was a TV serial, Agantuk, for Gujarat Doordarshan.”

He later learnt television writing from producer Shobhana Desai. His first full-length commercial play, Andhro Pato, became a runaway success and changed the course of his life. The play later inspired the 2002 film Aankhen.

Why Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichdi Became Cult Shows Later

Today, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichdi are considered television classics. However, Kapadia says audiences did not immediately connect with either show.

“Most TV shows at that time were made for highly unintelligent people. Those unrealistic shows got the ratings,” he says.

According to him, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai emerged from his frustration with television content of that era. He created an eccentric family and built humour around their unusual behaviour.

Kapadia also reveals that Maya Sarabhai’s personality was inspired partly by people he observed in affluent Mumbai neighbourhoods such as Altamount Road, Malabar Hill and Cuffe Parade.

Khichdi faced a different challenge.

“People didn’t understand it initially because I didn’t use a laughter track, which was common at the time.”

Once viewers recognised the show’s unique style of comedy, it quickly gained popularity.

Why Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Season 2 Failed to Match the Original

Kapadia believes some creative decisions prevented the second season of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai from recreating the magic of the original.

“My mistake was that I shook the equilibrium by changing the set,” he admits.

He feels the original home was a crucial part of the show’s identity. He also believes introducing a child for Sahil and Monisha altered the dynamic that audiences loved.

“I should have frozen them in time,” he says.

On Stereotypes and Representing Communities

Kapadia says he has always tried to present communities authentically rather than through stereotypes.

“I want to do a Muslim show with a completely different perspective,” he says.

According to him, popular entertainment often relies on preconceived notions about communities. His approach is to challenge those assumptions and portray people as they are.

He reveals that he once developed a story titled Amar Prem, set in Kolkata against the backdrop of nationalism, communal tensions and political conflict. However, the project never moved forward because broadcasters considered it “too evolved.”

Aatish Kapadia on Television and OTT Content

Kapadia is critical of the current state of Indian television.

“The lesser said about TV the better,” he remarks.

He believes most television stories revolve around repetitive romantic themes. As a viewer, he prefers reality shows such as Indian Idol and The Kapil Sharma Show.

On OTT platforms, he has enjoyed international series such as This Is Us, Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere and Unbroken. However, he feels many Indian web series often appear pretentious in their attempt to look modern and edgy.

Discussing acting styles, Kapadia dismisses labels such as “loud acting” and “subtle acting.”

“For me, an actor has to do the right amount of acting and be in sync with the character.”

Among performers he admires are Amit Sial, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sheeba Chadha, Ratna Pathak Shah and Seema Pahwa.

Writing Characters Audiences Relate To

Kapadia says audience approval is never his starting point.

“I don’t really bother whether it will resonate with audiences or not. I just do what I like.”

For him, success is a by-product of honest storytelling.

While working on Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kisse, he felt a special responsibility because the original characters were created by legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman.

“It was my duty not to move away from the soul of those characters.”

The appreciation he later received from Laxman’s family remains one of his most meaningful recognitions.

Life Beyond Work and Future Plans

Away from writing and production, Kapadia enjoys cooking and spending time with his family. He describes the lockdown period as a joyful phase spent with his wife Alison and son Agastya, playing games and enjoying each other’s company.

As for the future, he prefers not to plan too far ahead.

“I don’t plan for the future and I don’t think much about it.”

For now, he is focused on writing a feature film for Hats Off Productions and developing a new web series.